Odds and Ends – Friday June 16 – June 22, 2017

How do you move 40,000 bees? Carefully, with just 3 stings

Fredericksburg, Va. (AP) – With just three stings and no serious injuries, two beekeepers have safely removed an estimated 40,000 bees that bedeviled a Virginia townhouse community. The Washington Post reports the 40-pound (18-kilogram) swarm was carefully snipped from a tree branch May 17 in a grassy area of the Fredericksburg community by 33-year-old Nathan Thompson and his 70-year-old father Earl. The two belong to a family of beekeepers spanning three generations. A county animal control officer, Anthony McCall, responded to the outsized swarm. But a sheriff’s office statement described McCall as a self-admitted “chicken” regarding bees. So he summoned Nathan Thompson, interim chief of neighboring Aquia Harbor police, for help. The Thompsons removed the swarm to beehive boxes. Now they hope the bees can be loaned out to help pollinate farmers’ crops.

New North Carolina restaurant deluged by $300,000 water bill

Charlotte, N.C. (AP) – Two brothers launching a new restaurant in North Carolina found themselves deluged by a $308,000 water bill. But now their water worries are over. The Charlotte Observer reported that Faraz and Faisal Syed received the enormous bill in March, about two months before the Lazeez Mediterranean Grill had opened in that city. They say it covered just 13 days of service. The brothers had the restaurant checked by a plumber and there were no leaks. They also say water was cut off three times before service was restored Wednesday, two weeks after the restaurant had opened. Charlotte Water spokesman Cam Coley wouldn’t discuss specifics of what had happened, but says the issue had been resolved. Coley said it sometimes takes weeks or months to resolve billing issues.

Young men seek barbecue dad for Father’s Day weekend

Spokane, Wash. (AP) – A group of men in their 20s in Washington State has posted a Craigslist ad seeking a generic dad to grill burgers and hotdogs for a gathering set for the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend in mid-June. Father’s Day in the USA this year falls on June 18. Qualifications include a minimum of 18 years of experience as a dad and 10 years of grilling experience. The successful dad must bring his own grill, but burgers and hotdogs will be provided. Dane Anderson tells KHQ-TV that the young men in Spokane don’t live with their fathers and, the ad says, none are prepared to fill the role of barbecue dad. Additional requirements include talking about dad things like lawnmowers, building your own deck and musician Jimmy Buffet. Payment is food and beer. Anderson says several potential barbecue dads have responded.

Subway performer attacked by subway dancers using hula hoop

New York (AP) – A New York City subway performer says he was injured after an attack by a subway dance group that was angry they didn’t receive tips for a dance routine. Jean Loup Wolfman says he tried to calm down the dancers after they started threatening an elderly couple at the Union Square subway station on Monday. But his attempt to intervene led to the three unidentified dancers chasing him around the station, catching him and beating Wolfman with a hula hoop he was carrying for subway performances. The NYPD says they’ve arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with the assault. Wolfman needed stiches and staples for wounds sustained in the assault, but says he would do it again to help someone in need.

Wrong number text leads couple to free Stanley Cup tickets

Pittsburgh (AP) – A text message sent to the wrong number led to a Pittsburgh couple scoring free tickets to see the Penguins play Game 2 in the Stanley Cup Final. KDKA-TV reports Amy Santora received a text offering four tickets to Wednesday night’s game against Nashville. She called the number, and the man at the other end said he sent the text to the wrong number. Santora says the man called her back a few minutes later, saying the text’s intended recipient only wanted one set of the tickets. The tickets were priced at $329. The man told Santora she could have them for free. Santora and her husband took the man up on his offer, finding seats behind the goalie. As for the mystery texter, Santora says “whoever you are, thank you.”